DRUGS FOR ADD DO NOT CAUSE VIOLENT BEHAVIOR \doc\web\99\07\adddrug.txt From: Nanny714@aol.com Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 00:52:04 EDT I founded the first support group/educational forum on ADD/ADHD in the state of Vermont in 1990. More recently, namely in the last five years, I have been actively researching and writing about educational issues. While I agree that the present school climate, namely progressive trends and unstructured classroom environments cause an exacerbation in ADD/ADHD symptoms, I simply must repond to clear up the growing misinformation about ADD/ADHD and it's primary treatment through the use of psychostimulants. First of all, there is a vast amount of solid empirical research (not of the ed. establishment variety) on the effects of psychostimulants in the treatment of the ADHD population. (Bradley was reported as using stimulants on kids with behavior disorders way back in 1937). Treatment of ADHD through psychostimulant medication has not been associated with violent behavior. The article states, "At least two organizations claim that over-use of Ritalin is to blame for the escalating incidents of children committing acts of violence on other children." My question is, who are these groups? Don't you find it odd that the author doesn't mention the names of the groups?? I challenge anyone who states that "psychostimulant treatment for ADHD causes violent behavior" to direct me to the studies, their replication, and their publication in the journals. You simply cannot equate the research done by neurologists, developmental pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists and the many scientists who have spent their life researching ADHD and its treatment, to the educrats in the federal education laboratories pumping out bogus educational propaganda. They are NOT the same. You risk discrediting yourself if you continue. Approximately 50% of kids with ADHD have co-morbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and 20% have co-morbid conduct disorder (CD). CD, and sometimes ODD are associated with aggressive behavior. Children who have CD and ODD which is not being successfully treated have a much higher incidence of agressive behavioral symptoms. In other words, the incidence of aggressive behavior in children with ADHD/ODD/CD is significantly higher in the first place. It has been well established that psychostimulants (which includes Ritalin) are effective in treating the core symptoms (hyperactivity, lack of impulse control, and difficulty sustaining attention) of ADHD in 80% of the cases. The most common negative side effects of the most commonly used psychostimulants (methylphenidate aka ritalin, and d-amphetamine aka dexedrine) are loss of appetite and insomnia. More research has been done on the use of stimulant medication than almost any other psychopharmacological treatment. I agree that currently ADHD/ADD is being over diagnosed. I also firmly believe that children who would meet the diagnostic criteria 30 years ago did not require intervention as classrooms during that time were "structured" and there were "clear and consistent rules and consequences" which is exactly what these kids most need! Finally, there are many families struggling out here rasing children with challenging behaviors. They have suffered the brunt of the attacks and blame so readily dished out by the ed. establishment. Many parents of ADHD kids have been fighting these "open classrooms" and progressive trends for years and have been told time and again, "There's nothing wrong with us, there's something wrong with you and your child." Those words so callously thrown at families of kids with ADHD really stick as in most instances the parent is already feeling mighty deficient. I could go on and on about the destruction I've seen these practices cause families. Suffice it to say, it was through my work on ADHD that I became alarmed about current public school practices. These practices are MOST harmful to ADHD children and their families. Nancy Hall Norwich, VT ===================================================================== EDUCATION CONSUMERS CLEARINGHOUSE networking and information for parents and taxpayers on the internet Subscriptions & Archives: http://education-consumers.com or You are currently subscribed to education-consumers as: arthurhu@halcyon.com TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Send a blank email to leave-education-consumers-989462S@lists.dundee.net ===================================================================== For less mail, click on the following link and choose 1) a daily digest, 2) a daily list of subjects, or 3) no mail (read postings on Web) http://lists.dundee.net/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=education-consumers For more help & info: http://www.lyris.com/help or .